Anas erythrorhyncha

The red-billed teal is one of three teal species found in southern Africa. It is easy to identify given its bright red bill, cream cheeks and dark cap and, like its smaller blue-billed brother; the hottentot teal, it is a common resident and nomad of freshwater wetlands.

We first recorded this strking teal in September 2010 while exploring Ndumo Game Reserve in Northern KwaZulu Natal. Good places to find this duck are Marievale Bird Sanctuary, Mkhombo Dam Nature Reserve and the Kgomo Kgomo floodplain after good rains.